<p>I want to get into UCLA as a Biology major. Problem is 160 applicants out of 760 got in, which is a 21.97%, and their average GPA is 3.65.</p>
<p>Would it be wise to choose another Biology related major? I'll use Anthropology as an example. And If I got accepted into UCLA with the different major, would I still be able to change my major to Biology? Technically I have taken all the prereqs required, since all biology majors require the same class.</p>
<p>Anyone have any advice? I really want to go to UCLA and major in Biology, but I don't think I'll have sufficient grades.</p>
<p>If I can't change majors, should I just graduate UCLA with some different biology major with the same pre-requisites, and study for the MCAT, and apply for med-school with say a major in Anthropology? Or would that be a waste of money, and time for a useless major for my career path?</p>
<p>I think you can still do premed track as an anthropology major and apply to med school. It'll be a pain (and usually unlikely) to try and switch to an impacted major like biology. What's your GPA right now?</p>
<p>OK as of now, a .... 2.91 =(
So you know why I'm even considering this difficult "detour".
But of course, I'm working hard to change things around. My goal is to raise it to a ~3.5GPA, and be TAP certified. </p>
<p>If i got a 3.3, and had TAP, do you think I could get into LA as a bio major?</p>
<p>Are you applying this November for Fall 2009? If so, I'm not even sure you can raise your GPA that high by application time, especially if you've already completed the huge list of bio prereqs. Being TAP certified will give you a boost if you're borderline, but I don't think it'll be anything huge. I think the biggest perk about being TAP certified is the chance to choose an alternate major. My advise is that you apply to the bio major and have antho as your backup.</p>
<p>I had no idea TAP gives you an alternate major. Normal applicants only get 1?
I won't be applying this fall, i still need time to raise my gpa and finish prereq list.</p>
<p>Lets say I don't want to take the risk of choosing a different major like anthro.
What UC's can I get into with say a 3.3-3.5 gpa as a Biology major (premed)?
Will TAP still guarantee me entrance into UCI/UCSD even if its an impacted major?</p>
<p>If you had a ~3.4 gpa, TAP/TAG certified, and want to go to med school, which route would you take?
1) Apply to UCLA as a BIO/ANTHRO major?
2) (rejected from LA) go to UCSD/UCI with TAG as a Bio Major.</p>
<p>Pros and Cons 1/2:
1)
PRO:I get into UCLA, my dream school. Excellent in Biology. Plus i live so close, so no moving.
CON: I probably wont get in as a BIO. I probably end up as an Anthropology major. Even if I have the same prereq list that any other premed would be taking, I graduate with a degree in anthropology. I don't even want to be an anthropologist. Will this hurt me? I want to go to med school. So this path seems very risky...</p>
<p>2)
PROS:Get into either UCSD or UCI with TAP as a bio major. I hear their both also very good schools for bio.
CONS: Not my dream school.... plus i have to move out again..</p>
<p>You could sign a TAG with UCSD or UCI, but I'm not sure what their policy is on impacted majors. If you're on premed track, you can't really go wrong with either three schools. Just keep in mind that you do in fact need a backup plan in case you can't get into med school. </p>
<p>Btw, how many units have you accumulated so far? I know most bio majors stay up to three years in CC.</p>
<p>tag's do not guarantee admission into an impacted major, and it is especially impacted at UCSD (bc it's primarily a science-oriented school). If you can get your gpa up to around 3.5 you would have a shot there. BTW with a sub-3.0 gpa you may have already seriously hindered your chances at med school so I second the idea of a back-up-plan. What would you do as a bio major if you don't get into med school?</p>
<p>Actually you can sign tag with ucsd and bio there isn't impacted everyone thinks it is because it's their biggest major. I just signed a tag today with UCI in bio I have ~3.4 If I dont get into UCLA I'm probably going there and actually UCSD's biology is considered by many to be the best of all the UC's in biology. As long as you fufill the pre-med pre-reqs you'll be fine and can major in anything but med schools like to see science majors for transfers to show that you can hack it in the upper division classes. Just apply to the major you want don't just apply because of the rate of admissions imo and transfers cannot switch in to biology at ucla no matter what and that is one of their policies. Definately try to get your gpa atleast over the 3.2. Also moving back to UCSD I talked to a rep and she said for biology everyone that had over 2.8 pretty much got in more or less.</p>
<p>thanks jk_91 and sstory for the info.
macattack510, thanks so much for your input. Looks like there is some good news for me after all.</p>
<p>Let me explain my situation a little more indepth.</p>
<p>At De Anza College: 30 quarter units and a 2.639 GPA
At Ohlone College: 6 semester units and a 3.50 GPA (9 quarter units right?)
Which puts me at 39 quarter units?</p>
<p>I basically screwed around my first 2 quarters until I realized that I won't go anywhere, just "chillin".</p>
<p>Now I go to Santa Monica College (SMC) and am taking 4 classes this Fall 08:
Chem 10,
English 2,
Math 30,
Music History (online@ohlone),</p>
<p>I plan to get A's, from here on out.
My problem right now, is my low placement in Math. I'm in Math 30 which is 2 classes behind Precalc, and 4 behind calc2.
Here's how SMC's math format looks like:
Math 30->Geometry->PreCalc->Calc1-Calc2
I need to finish Calc 2 before I can transfer, right? So that means I'll be taking math at SMC for at least until Winter/Spring 2009.</p>
<p>Do I have to finish Calc2 before I can transfer? Will calc 1 be sufficient? Honestly, if med school isn't gonna work out for me, I don't know what I want to do...</p>
<p>Really try to finish up all of the pre-reqs if you can if you finish everything else but don't have time to do calc 2 then don't sweat it too much. If UCLA is your goal really try to finish up all your pre-reqs since I think they put a lot of emphasis on them. I messed up my first year and have come a long way since then (1.6 1st year to all 4.0's now). Don't worry just put in the effort and med school can be obtainable best thing you can do now is just focus on your classes at hand and do well in them :) peace!</p>
<p>btw, I converted everything and calculated that I have 39 total credits and have an overall GPA of 2.86.</p>
<p>And after this fall, if I get A in ALL my classes this fall, I can bump my grade up to a 3.20 GPA with 55.5 quarter units. Thats just one semester too! I believe my GPA will be just as competitive as the rest by the time i'm applying for transfer. </p>
<p>I'm trying to do what you are doing, and let me tell you... it's gonna be very very difficult. I've consulted with a UCLA advisor, berkeley advisor and have researched online alot.. you can petition and try to change it but it's unlikely it'll be approved.. especially at such an overpopulated UC like UCLA. If it was any other UC, I would say it's possible... but UCLA (i'm sorry) is a NO(in my opinion and from what i've drawn from many sources).</p>
<p>looks like, UCLA may be out of my teach. But a 3.2 is only my gpa in this coming fall, I will be raising my GPA each semester until its time to transfer. Med schools will still look down on me, even though I've shown improvement??</p>
<p>Applying to med school will be a stretch for you if you want to attend a school in California because the average GPA is around 3.7-3.8 and it's a pretty GPA heavy contest. A high MCAT doesn't hurt along with all those other extra curricular goodies. </p>
<p>An upward trend helps, but it's gotta be the best upward trend I've ever seen. Ace everything from now on. You don't really have much of a choice</p>
<p>You don't have to be a biology major to apply for med school, but if you screwed up your BCMP GPA, then you're better off staying as one to raise that GPA along with your overall GPA. </p>
<p>The med school application (AMCAS) will look at all of your grades so that GPA resetting after transfer stuff doesn't apply to us med school applicants.</p>
<p>I knew this was going to be a difficult path the day I started. As I've stated before, I intend to ace all of my classes from here on out. Even if my CC GPA is lacking, I'll do my best to counter any doubts with a higher MCAT score. </p>
<p>One question suwaifo:"You don't have to be a biology major to apply for med school, but if you screwed up your BCMP GPA, then you're better off staying as one to raise that GPA along with your overall GPA. "</p>
<p>I don't quite understand what "BCMP GPA" is, and "then you're better off staying as one to raise that GPA along with your overall GPA. "</p>
<p>I still want your guys' opinion on this dilemma I'm having. Get into UCLA with a biology-RELATED major, or go to UCSD/IRVINE as a Biology(pre-med) major?</p>
<p>Looks like going to irvine or san diego is the smarter and safer route.</p>
<p>BCPM GPA consists of your grades from biology, chemistry, physics, and math. If you're not a biology major, then your BCPM GPA will only consist of grades from your pre-requisites. So, if you don't do well in those pre-reqs, then your BCPM GPA will remain low. However, if you major in biology, then you have upper-division biology/chemistry courses to help you boost that GPA.</p>
<p>I think you should try for the UCLA biology-related major. Whether people want to admit it or not, the name of your college matters in med school acceptance. During my friend's interviews at top med schools, the only public schools represented from CA are Cal and UCLA. UCSD is a good choice as well, but definitely skip Irvine and other lower tier UC's.</p>